Yutaka Niida-Roman Gonzalez set!

[CutMeMick]

Chocolate is a very different fighter on foreign soil , much more calculating and disciplined, back home he just wants to please the fans and go to war with over matched opponents.
Niida has the edge with experience no doubt but come the later rounds he will feel pressure just like Cotto did.
The only reason Gonzalez fought at the higher weight was because it was a short notice fight, come sept 15th Niida better be wearing a bullet proof vest because if he gets caught with a chocolate body punch, the lights will dim sum.

Sent some reps your way...
Top post here and I agree Niidas experience will play a huge role here I hope Roman fights a smart fight and doesn't head hunt. I want to see him walk Niida down.

[Galaxy]

You could argue that Niida should still be undefeated. He is a great boxer as his wins over Arambulet, Porpaoin & Landaeta show but to me this is his 1st real test since the Landatea fight back in 2004. Takayama was solid but not exceptional!

I feel Gonzalez is just going to add to the string of upsets that have occurred this year!

[Its gonna be a war]

The battle of the little big men
The Nicaraguan Post
The day is almost nigh; September 15th, this day has been notched on every calendar of every sports fan in Nicaragua since the 2 minute destruction of Eriberto Gejon to secure the mandatory shot at the 105 lb title.
Roman ‘Chocolate’ Gonzalez 20-0(18ko) the Nicaraguan heir apparent, to the legendary Alexis Arguello, steps into the ring in Tokyo, Japan, to fight for the title that has long seemed his destiny.
The way to the crown could not be tougher though.
The Japanese champion Yutaka Niida 23-1(9ko) is as good as they come. Unbeaten in six years, Niida is the classic boxer, puncher and could give the much less experienced Gonzalez nightmares.
Niida will be roared on by a cauldron of fanatical home town fans and Gonzalez will have to do everything right to avoid the same fate as his friend and stable mate Jose Alfaro, who arrived in Japan earlier this year with a title but left on the seat of his pants.
How will the fight go?
Look for Niida to try to control the fight from a distance, Gonzalez possesses tremendous power in both hands and is capable of putting the lights out with one shot from either hand.
Don’t expect to see the Gonzalez that we have become accustomed to in Managua, looking to trade at every opportunity, willing to match his power against yours. This will be the Gonzalez that destroyed Gejon in Tokyo; carefully hunting his man down, cutting off the ring and then unleashing the power that Niida has probably never felt before.
Gonzalez could have waited longer for his chance and took an easier way to a title but great fighters don’t do that and definitely not great Nicaraguan ones.
It’s not Oscar de la Hoya v Manny Paquaio but ask any fight fan of the smaller weight classes, this is the one we have all been waiting for.
When the bell rings at 5.am on Monday morning September 15th, it’s going to be Mano-a- mano, put up or shut up; strap yourself in, it’s going to be one hell of a ride.

Exclusive interview with Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez

Posted on 05 September 2008 at nicaraguanpost.com
By Darrell Williams.
1 Did you feel envious of Juan Palacios getting a105lb title before you?
No, not at all. I am very proud of him. It is good that Nicaraguans are able to compete succesfully out of Nicaragua. It opens the door for better opportunities for Nicaraguan athletes. If I am able to win the WBA title and Juan keeps his WBC title it means that the baddest of the little guys are from Nicaragua. I also have two boxer friends Yader Escobar and Carlos Buitrago who have a legitimate chance to become future world champs at 105 and 108.
2 How has your training camp gone in preparation for your title shot?
I have been to hell and back. My preparation has been so intense. I have fought three or four times 12 five minute rounds in practice instead of the standard three minute rounds. I am set to fight Niida for 15 or 18 rounds if I have to. He wont beat me with conditioning
3 Have you brought in any particular sparring partners with a similar style to Niida?
My sparring partners are great. A couple of them are world ranked: Yader Escobar, Nerys Espinoza who is also going to fight for the world title (IBF), Evert Briceno and Terou Misawa. I also have had the chance to spar with other good Nicaraguan boxers such as Rene Gonzalez, Carlos Buitrago, two time central American amateur champ Carlos Alvarado.
4 Have you watched many fights of Niida and what do you feel you have to do to win the fight?
I have watched him multiple times. He is a good boxer. He has been in 10 world championship fights winning 9 times. He has to be a good boxer. I however will be a nightmare for him. He will feel more pressure than he has ever felt in his life.
5 Although your title fight has been guaranteed for a while now, do you wish you had fought better opposition in recent fights leading up to your shot at the title?
No. My managers and promoters (Teiken and Prodesa) have done a real good job in keeping me active. They have fed me boxers with different styles who have prepared me better for what is coming up. Few boxers in Nicaragua have reached 20 fights in such little time.
6 Did you learn anything about what to expect from Jose Alfaro’s title bout in Japan earlier this year?
I learned never to underestimate any opponent. Where there is a will and hard work there is always the opportunity for victory.
7 With your obvious reputation of being the “golden boy” of Nicaraguan boxing; do you feel this has put added pressure on you to bring home the title?
I have been promoted from the very start as a future world champion by my promoters and Alexis. Its time to put up or shut up. Lets see if all the hype is true.
8 If you win your title bout, would you like to challenge Palacios to an all Nicaraguan championship fight?
No. I would like to unify with the IBF champ Raul Garcia or WBO champ Donnie Nientes to prove that Nicaraguans are world class specially in the lower divisions.
9 What will it mean for you to bring the title back to Nicaragua?
It will be the world to me. It will prove that all the hard work put in the gym by me and all the effort of my team has not been in vain.
10 Can we get a prediction?
Victory for Nicaragua and the 10th Nicaraguan world champ. It will happen sooner than later.

[Chino]

I hope the fight is not in Japan. The Japanese boxer has to leave the ring in stretchers for the non-Japanese boxer to win. Saw the worse decisions when I was living in Japan.

[CutMeMick]

I hope the fight is not in Japan. The Japanese boxer has to leave the ring in stretchers for the non-Japanese boxer to win. Saw the worse decisions when I was living in Japan.

The fight already happened.
Roman won on a Dr. advised stoppage.
Niidas eye was swollen shut by the 4th round.

[OumaFan]

Very nice. He's a fun guy to watch, was worried it might be a Mayol-Kyowa type deal. Need to find a download.

[Violent Demise]

Great win for Gonzalez. Niida is outstanding fighter. I need to see this fight first before really commenting on it

[Its gonna be a war]

Nicaraguanpost.com

Chocolatito: king of the world
For all the doubt about weight, inexperience and being over hyped it took Roman ‘Chocolatito” Gonzalez less than 12 minutes to destroy a champion who many consider to be one of the best ever at the minimum weight.
From the sound of the first bell Gonzalez showed little respect for the six-year reign of the champion Yutaka Niida.
Niida had the keys to the office and Gonzalez was not about to wait around 12 rounds for the judges to decide whether they were changing hands.
From the first bell he hunted his man down with the same precision as when he defeated the highly rated Filipino Ereberto Gejon. Niida had no answer to the punishing double left hooks that have been a trademark of Gonzalez’s meteoric rise through the ranks.
In a little less than four rounds Gonzalez had reduced the Japanese icon to a punching bag. Niida’s face was bloodied, battered and with one eye virtually closed the referee saw no need for the little tiger from Managua to inflict any more pain on a desperate flailing champion.
When the end came the words of Gonzalez in his recent interview with the Post, about what this would mean for him, were there for all to see. All the hard work, the starving to make weight, the expectations of following in the shadow of the legendary Alexis Arguello were all gone. Tears rolled down his face as he was carried head high in the ring.
This wasn’t just a moment for Gonzalez though; on the weekend of their independence a nation of people starved of the most basic things in life had been given a moment, a moment to forget all their worries and come together to celebrate their new king.
For many westerners this may seem like an overstatement but if you’ve ever been in the jungles of the Philippines with 50 people huddled around a TV watching Manny Pacquaio fight, you might just understand.
This was a great day for the Nicaraguan people, a day to take pride in their country. With two champions now at the minimum weight, they can lay claim to being the toughest little hombres on the planet.

[XaduBoxer]

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